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the nurse assesses an infant born by vaginal delivery. at birth, the infant is crying and moving all extremities, and respirations and pulse rate are good. one minute after birth, the baby is noted to have slightly cyanotic extremities. at 5 minutes after birth, the extremities are pink. which is the APGAR score for the baby at 1 and 5 minutes?

User Corasan
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Final answer:

The newborn's APGAR score is 9 at 1 minute after birth and 10 at 5 minutes. Based on the criteria assessed, such as skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration, the baby is healthy, with these scores indicating a normal and successful transition from the womb.

Step-by-step explanation:

APGAR Score Calculation

To calculate the APGAR score of the newborn infant at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, we need to evaluate the five criteria: appearance (skin color), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing effort). Based on the scenario provided:

  • Appearance: The baby's skin color is noted to have slightly cyanotic extremities at 1 minute (1 point), which turns pink at 5 minutes (2 points).
  • Pulse: Since the pulse rate is described as good, the infant would likely receive a score of 2 at both 1 minute and 5 minutes.
  • Grimace (reflex): The baby cries on stimulation, which indicates a normal reflex response, scoring 2 points.
  • Activity (muscle tone): The baby is moving all extremities and has flexed arms and legs that resist extension, indicating good muscle tone, scoring 2 points.
  • Respiration: The infant has a strong, robust cry and was crying at birth, which would suggest a normal respiratory effort, scoring 2 points.

At 1 minute, the baby's APGAR score would be: 1 (Appearance) + 2 (Pulse) + 2 (Grimace) + 2 (Activity) + 2 (Respiration) = 9.

At 5 minutes, the baby's APGAR score would be: 2 (Appearance) + 2 (Pulse) + 2 (Grimace) + 2 (Activity) + 2 (Respiration) = 10.

A score of 9 at 1 minute and 10 at 5 minutes is considered normal, indicating that the baby is not in distress and has made a good transition from the womb to the outside world.

User Carlos Mermingas
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